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He was the brother of my dead mate.
“Game Design,” I admitted. It was one of the few joys I had anymore. Everett and I had planned on making a game together one day. He’d practically finished one while he was alive. He spent months talking about it. I’d even played a few demo levels of the mystery game before college life got too busy.
A broad grin spread across his gorgeous face and I fought back another wave of attraction and simultaneous guilt. It lit up his features and he had a slight crinkle around his eyes that made him look even more handsome.
“I didn’t realize you were into the gamer thing too,” he chuckled. “I should have known, huh?”
“Everett taught me how and I was hooked. Now it’s a way to keep him with me,” I admitted quietly. At the reminder of my mate I pulled the necklace from my pocket and inspected it.
It was a small moon. There was a notch on top and I realized it wasn’t just a necklace, but a tiny urn. I bit back a sob as I read the small silver tag attached.
Forever.
He promised he’d be with me forever and he made sure he was.
“Shaye, are you okay?”
I nodded even as a tear slipped out.
“Your mom gave me this before you got here,” I said, showing him the pendant. He tugged one out from under his shirt and gave me a sad, crooked smile.
“I have one too.”
His was a skull and I laughed through my tears at the dark humor of it. Leave it to Everett to put his ashes in a skull.
“Fuck, this is going to be hard, isn’t it?” Lake breathed out. “I’ve been coping a bit better until today.”
“Me, too,” I lied smoothly. “As best as I could be.”
“I know the feeling,” he said, giving my hand a squeeze. My skin tingled at the contact but I didn’t pull away. I’d take his comfort for now. It felt kind of good to be close to someone. I’d held everyone at arm’s length for a year.
Living with a ghost was lonely.
Lake didn’t let go until the fire dwindled down. Finally, he stood up and fed it another log before turning to me.
“Are you ready, Shaye?” He pulled his envelope out of his pocket. I swallowed hard and grabbed mine from the table, turning to face him as a chill ran through me.
“I’m ready.”
ChapterFive
Shaye
My hands shook as I opened the envelope. The sight of Everett’s sloppy handwriting hit me like a punch to the gut and I had to force myself to breathe.
I pulled the paper to my nose and took in a deep breath, letting out a sob as his scent hit me.
“What did he smell like to you?” Lake asked gently. “I always wondered.”
“Sage and cedar,” I answered without having to think about it. “Then a hint of alpha musk.”
He let out a hum of acknowledgement but didn’t press me as I pulled the paper from my nose and started to read.
Dear Shaye,
I’m not really sure what a world without me will look like. From the broken look on your face when I told you, I would say it’s not been easy.
There’s so much of your life left to live and I’m going to die a happy man knowing I got to spend some of it with you.
